Closure and process of making same.



PATENTED JULY 3, 1906. M. ENGELS.

CLOSURE AND PROCESS 0F MAKING SAME. APPLICATION FILED JUNB1 3. 1905.

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st: Inventor: f .ENGELS @UQ @JW bym, WWW@ iran sfrarns ,PraLTENT OFFICE MAxfENGE'Ls, or nssELDoRF, GERMANY.

CLosuRE AND PROCESS oF MAKING Smil-IE..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Julyy 3, 1906. l

Application filed 11111613, 1905. Serial No. 265,001.

- that 1t has the property of altering its dimensions under the influence of heat and to the process of makin such closure or jointcover; The product orms a strong, durable, efficient, and air-tight closure for bottles or other articles to which it is applied.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a bot-v tle closure or cap embodying my invention, Fig. 2 represents the same cap as applied to a bottle. Fig. 3 represents a similar form of cap shown in Fig., 4 as applied to a bottle having a 'screw-threaded neck. Fig. 5 represents a tubular closure shown in Fig. 6 as used to secure a disk over the neck-opening .ofthe bottle. 7 represents a rod shown in Fig. 8 as forming an interior closure for a bottle. -Fig. 9 represents a tube shown in Fig. 10 as forming a joint cover or protector for-two pieces of glass tubing.

Referring to Figs. cap formed from a tube of celluloid and having aY flaring wall 11, formed with an inwardly-projectingan'nular flange 12`at its upper end, closed bya celluloid disk 13. 42 re resents a bottle-neck having 'a bead 21. T e cap 1 is produced by increasing the diameter of a tube of celluloid, so that initial strains are set up therein, the celluloid having the property of` freeing itself from these strains under the action of heat, whereby it is caused to contract in diameter. It is applied to the bottle-neck 2, as shown in Fig. 2, by placing tle cap 1 over the mouth of the bottle, and

exposing the same to heat, preferably in the form'of steam or hot water. The cap 1 'then 'shrinks to the form shown, tightly inclosing the neck of the bottle and forming an air-tight seal therefor. Gwin heated, it adapts itse f to rigidly inclose the bead 21 of the neck 2, whereby its accidental disengagement from the bottle-neck isk prevented'. /f

The form of cap shown in Fig.; 3 is similar in design and construction to .that shown in Fig. 1, except that 'the wall 11 is'preferably somewhat shorter. l It is applied in a similar -ployed Fi 1 and 2, 1 designates a to its ductility when to join two or more manner to a bottle having its with an external screw-thread. In shrinking it adapts itself to this screw-thread and when allowed to cool may be screwed from the bottle-neck 22 and replaced thereon as often as desired, forming aperfect substitute for the metal screw-threaded cap usually em- 5 shows ashort tube 3 of celluoid, the wal of which may be made straight, as shown. As shown in Fig. 6, it is utilized by applyingit to a bottle-neck 23, having an outturned being covered byta disk l4, which maybe of metal or of any desired material. When the parts are assembled and exposed to heat, as

efore, the short tube 3 contracts over the peri hery of the disk 4 andbeneath the bead 24, orming with the disk 4 ap, efficient closure for a bottle; y

Fig. 7 represents a rod 5, of celluloid, the diameter of which has been gradually decreased in the process of manufacture.

In Fig. 8 the rod 5 is shown as having been inserted in the bottle-neck 25, provided wit interior corrugations 26. In. this case the rod 5 when exposed to heat ex ands and fills the neck 25 ofthe bottle at all points for its entire length, forming ari-efficient closure therefor.

Fig. 9 designates a tube 6, of celluloid, which, as shown` in Fig. 10, is employed to join two pieces of glass` tube 7 7, placedl end to end. scribed, thetube then contracts arid firmly holds the pieces of tubing together, forming an air and liquid tight joint therebetween.

I have described the various closures shown as formed of celluloid, for the reason that this material has in a marked degree the property of relieving itself from initlal strains set up during the process of manufacturing an article therefrom by the application 'of heat, so

Athat it readily changes its diameter or de` ICO sired dimensions to fit either around or into any body to which it is applied.

I have illustrated various forms of my device, not with the intention of limiting myselfto the use 'of such forms, but,.per comm, to show that. my invention may be employed for nany Vpurposes and embodiedin diverse forms. l I thereforein the claims employ the word closure in a broad sense to lindicate either an interior or an exterior closure for an opening of definite size or anarticle adapted parts, thereby acting as a ead 24, the mouth ofthe bottle` Heat being applied, as above deneck 22 formed closure .for the gap between them, however small this may be.' Thus, e. g., it is evident' -thereafter initial strains, the article being -terial under initialstrain.

that the insertionv in the bottle-neck '2 of a cork 8,(shoWn in Fig. 2,) although this Would i ordinarily be unnecessary, Would not render the cap 1 any less a closure. My invention also includes the process of making a closure from celluloid or other material by setting up duringthe `process of shaping thearticle or made .of a material exemplified b Celluloid, which is capable of relieving itselfy from such strainsunder the influence of heat. As has been explained, the closure may be vin the form of a tube, of Which both ends or one end may be open, a rod, or other suitable shape.

-Without specifiying materials or enumerating equivalents, What l claim is- 1. A closure of material under strain relievable by the action of heat. l

2. A Ytubular closure of material under strain relievable by the action of heat.,

3. A cap for bottles or the like of material under strain relicvable by the action of heat.

4. A closure of Celluloid or like material under initial strain.

.5. A tubular closure of celluloid or like ma- 6. A bottle-closing cap of Celluloid or like material underl initial strain.\ f

7. The process ofI making a closure, which consists in setting up initial strains by the deformation of al material capable lof relieving itself of such strains under the action of heat.

8. The process of making a tubular closure, which consists in forming a 'tube and l setting up therein initial circumferential strains.

f -9., The process of making a closure, vihich consists in forming a mass of celluloid or like material into a sultable shape, and in setting up therein initial strains in a direction opposed to the desiredmolecular movement of the closure When put into position.

10. The process of making a tubular clo-.A sure, Which consists in forming a tube vof celluloid or like material of a dlameter differing from'that desired in the closure When in position, and in settingy up therein initial circumferential strains.

11. The process of making a contractile cap, which consists in `forming from a mate rial capable of relieving itself from initial strains under the action of heat, said cap being of larger diameter than is required/for' the "article when in` position, and in setting up therein initial strains tending to maintain such larger diameter.

12. 'Ehe process ofmaking av contractile celluloid cap, Which consists in forming the cap of larger diameter than is required for the article When in position, and 'in setting up therein initial strains tending to maintain such larger diameter. Y

In testimony whereof I have signed this specifica-tion in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. e

- v MAX ENGELS. Witnesses: l

, PETER LIEBER,

WILLIAM EssENWEIN. 

